“The church exists by mission
as a fire exists by burning”
Emil Brunner
You may feel a sense of discomfort with these words.
The statement emphasizes the importance of mission
or the life of a congregation.
However, in reality there is little space for “mission”
in the average week of work, family obligations, meetings
and events that compete for the time, attention and hearts
of most church members.
1
Why Discover?
Canadian Baptist Ministries regularly receives requests from
Discover Five Question Challenge
pastors and lay leaders. They ask if we will work with them to
1) develop a mission strategy for their local congregation, and
The following quiz may help you to take
the mission temperature of your
congregation. Answer the following
questions with True or False as seems
most appropriate:
Q. 1:
Most people in our church can name the people
2) raise the profile of mission in the shared life of their church.
As we talk together, they often express the need for a way
to evaluate current commitments and shape the future of their
mission engagement. They are passionate about wanting
to see members grow in faith and the church grow in numbers.
on our mission and outreach committee.
True or False?
Q. 2:
There is real enthusiasm about serving
on our church’s mission committee.
Messy Bulletin Boards
& Church Budgets
True or False?
Q. 3:
Most people in the church can identify
Churches sometimes find that their mission commitments have become like
a messy bulletin board. The signs of activity are represented by pieces of paper
and report on at least three ministries or
tacked to the board in a random manner. A poster. An annual report. Photos.
missionaries supported through our church
A field report from a missionary. An organization’s newsletter. An appeal
budget in the past 12 months.
to build houses. A reminder to bring tinned vegetables and peanut butter
True or False?
Q. 4:
Our congregation has a criteria we use
to determine mission commitments.
True or False?
Q. 5:
for the food bank. Summer camp registration forms.
The church and its members are clearly involved in local, regional and
global ministries. But it is hard to make sense of the clutter.
Similarly, the annual budget of the church may have a variety of line
items including CBM, the denomination, ministry organizations and
Our congregation has a mission strategy
Christian workers supported by the church. But it can be difficult to find
that connects local, regional and global mission
a strategy behind this financial investment in mission. The organizations
commitments.
and people may seem detached from the life of the congregation.
True or False?
Additionally, the valuable contribution of volunteer time is not captured
in a typical budget.
2
What is Discover?
Discover is a journey in which the participants open their lives
to the needs of the world and the leading of God’s Spirit.
Each section recommends a method of reporting and collecting
congregational feedback. Discover recognizes that the entire church
membership is composed of interested stakeholders.
Section 1:
Vision & Values
Section 2:
Finance, Volunteers
Section 3:
Matching Need With Vision
Section 4:
Seizing the Future
Developing a vision and the
& Partners
Matching needs with vision.
Seizing the future as a mission
values that will shape the
Reviewing the congregation’s
Working group members
strategy is developed for
congregation’s engagement in
financial commitments, the
consider opportunities for local,
presentation to the church.
local, regional and global mission.
investment of volunteer time
regional and global mission
The group remembers that
and the nature of partnerships
engagement. An attempt is made
“the power is in the focus.” This
with outside agencies. This audit
to create appropriate matches
means that concentrating on a
requires going back over a period
with the interests and gifts of
few things may be better than a
of several years to determine
congregational members. The
shot gun approach to mission.
what has been important in
group looks for common themes
the mission engagement of the
that can create coherence
church.
between local, regional and
global.
3
How long does the process
require?
4
What “kind of people”
should participate?
The concept of discernment suggests
A working group of eight to ten people
something different than a quick fix that is
is ideal. They should represent the diversity
determined in a meeting of a few people.
of the church. The people appointed must
“Discover” is a process that requires dialogue,
be willing to attend meetings, read the
prayer and information sharing. We suggest
materials, research opportunities for witness,
that a typical congregation will need four to
maintain communications with the broader
eight months to go through the four sections of
congregation and engage in prayer.
Discover. However, the facilitator can adapt the
material to proceed at a faster pace.
5
Does Discover promote CBM or the denomination?
We believe that congregations can partner effectively with CBM and their denomination
for global and local mission projects, respectively. However, the material and activities
in Discover do not contain information or project descriptions of these organizations.
It is anticipated that the working group will contact CBM, the denomination and other
organizations as part of the activities of Section 3.
What are the end results of Discover?
A church that engages in the Discover process should develop:
1 A strategic plan for mission that encompasses local, regional and global engagement.
The plan will give attention to financial support, the commitment of volunteer time
and partnership expectations.
2 A plan for regular reporting to the congregation about the nature and impact of their
mission commitments.
3 A statement of values that will guide future mission decisions.
4 A sense of congregational ownership and involvement in the mission engagement
of the church.
What help does CBM offer?
CBM provides the materials at a cost of production price for congregations.
The assistance of a trained CBM or denominational staff member to work with the
congregational facilitator may be arranged in consultation with CBM.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of Discover or booking a CBM-led facilitation
session contact us: Call: 905.821.3533 Email: [email protected]
cbmin.org
Canadian Baptist Ministries
TEL :
7185 Millcreek Drive
Mississauga · Ontario
L5N 5R4 · Canada
FAX :
+1.905.821.3533
+1.905.826.3441
cbmin.org
canadianbaptist